Four children who were allegedly left alone by their mother were rescued from a locked house in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.
According to a 24 Oras report by Lou-Anne Mae Rondina on Thursday, the children’s neighbors reported the incident to authorities after noticing that the children were left locked inside the house without a guardian.
The children were rescued by authorities from the Punta Engaño Barangay Council for the Protection of Children with personnel of the women and children protection desk of the Lapu-Lapu Police.
“Hindi naming pwedeng sirain ang padlock dahil lalabas na trespassing without permission mula sa may-ari tapos ang sabi the only way na masira at mabuksan ang pintuan ay pamamagitan ng CSWD,” said Barangay Councilor Mark Estardo.
(We cannot destroy the padlock because it will seem like trespassing without permission of the owner, and they said that the only way to destroy and open the door was through the help of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.)
The children were brought to the Barangay Hall for their safety and were given food and a place where they could sleep.
Meanwhile, the mother was made aware of the rescue on Thursday morning.
The woman admitted that she left the children locked in their house with food and water while she looked for money to sustain their daily needs.
“Wala akong planong ipamigay sila. May gustong mag-adopt sa kanila noon, pero hindi ako pumayag. Tutal lumalaki naman sila, ‘yan ang hiling ko ngayon,” the mother said.
(I have no plans of giving them away. Someone wanted to adopt them before, but I didn’t agree. Since they are growing now, that is my wish.)
The eldest child, a six-year old daughter in the 1st Grade, said that she had been absent from class for the past two days.
“Na-late kasi naghahanap ng pera ang mama ko,” said the child.
(I was late because my mother was looking for money.)
The children are currently under the custody of the CSWD while they conduct assessments on the parenting capability of their mother.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
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